Why you should lose weight and keep it off

It’s no secret being overweight isn’t good for you, so in this article I’m going to outline a few of the more serious problems with being overweight and obese and why you should change and lose some weight.

For your heart

The build-up of excess fat around the heart muscle itself and in particular the blood vessels (veins and arteries) make blood flow rather difficult, these symptoms drastically increase the risk of a heart attack and heart disease. Studies have shown that a 5 point increase in your body’s BMI (body mass index) level has between 25 to 30% increase in mortality due to a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack. The good news is this figure can be turned on its head, with steady regular weight loss, blood flow becomes easier as less burden is placed on the heart also this weight loss lowers fat around the heart improving heart health and reducing heart risk factors.

Reducing the risks of diabetes

As I write this article a estimated 207,500 people in Ireland have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, that’s in a country of 4,5 million people. That’s roughly 6.5% of the population.

So what is diabetes?

Diabetes is lifelong condition it is caused by a lack, or insufficient amount of insulin. Insulin is a hormone created in your pancreas. The best way to describe how insulin works is it acts something like a key opening the doors into your body’s cells, letting sugar (glucose) in. when someone has diabetes, the pancreas makes too little insulin to let all the sugar in your blood stream to get into your muscle and other cells to produce energy. If this sugar can’t get into the cells to be used, it builds up in the bloodstream. Therefore, diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels. To combat diabetes you need only two things first and most important is a healthier diet, staying away from processed foods that are low in fiber is a most, avoid fizzy drinks as these are packed with sugars. Secondly you should engage in some sort of physical activity at least three times a week as this will force the body to start burning off sugar and fat cells for energy. These two things will reduce your insulin load and reduce your risk of diabetes.

You’ll sleep better.

Weight loss has being linked to sleeping better, and even reduce the severity of conditions like obstructive sleep apnea. Conditions like obstructive sleep apnea are caused by an obstruction in a person’s breathing, these interruptions to their sleeping can last up to 10 seconds and are often followed by a loud snort when breathing resumes. Overweight and obese people are more likely to suffer with obstructive sleep apnea, the excess fat in the abdominal region pushes up on the diaphragm while excess fat in the neck restricts breathing. however studies have confirmed that weight loss can significantly improve and potentially eliminate obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in obese and overweight people.

It can help reduce the risk of cancers

Everybody knows someone who has had this disease it’s a plague in today’s world so everyone should do their best to stump it out and its causing factors. Obesity is most certainly one of its causing factors, being obese you are 40% more likely to contract bowel, colon, breast, gall bladder, kidney, and throat cancer than if you were at what’s considered a normal healthy weight. The reasons for this are:

• Fat tissue can produce excess estrogen which in high levels can increase the risk of breast, endometrial, and some other cancers.
• Fat cells may also have a direct and indirect effect on growth regulators of tumours.
• Obese people have a low level of inflammation which is the bodys attempt to protect itself by removing harmful pathogens, damaged cells and irritants, which has been associated with increased cancer risk.

You’ll live longer

Studies have shown that being overweight by a third of your ideal body weight can take on average three years off your life and as your weight climbs so does that figure. A third of your body weight could mean between 20 to 30 kgs. Your BMI is a measure of weight in relation to height and is a good way of telling just how overweight or underweight you are. A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered normal weight. A BMI of 25-29.9 is considered overweight. Obesity is considered a BMI of 30 or more. Severe obesity has been said to have similar effects of smoking in relation to mortality rates, and we all know how bad for your health smoking is.

You’ll have a better quality of life.

 Not just for the added years, being leaner healthier and happier lets you enjoy those added years more. That fact alone should be enough motivation.if you are looking to start losing weight here are some helpful tips.